Illinois Entrepreneur Brings Handmade Beauty Products to Customers Nationwide

After years of struggling with sensitive skin and cystic acne, Amanda Kezios set out to create the products she couldn’t find on the shelves. What started in the late ’90s as a personal wellness journey turned into a mission to build a beauty brand rooted in self-love, inclusivity, and natural ingredients. In 2003, Amanda founded Mojo Spa in Chicago’s trendy Wicker Park neighborhood, offering handmade products designed for holistic well-being, inside and out.

Over the last 20 years, Mojo Spa has grown into a thriving small business offering over 200 products, from skincare and body care to makeup and custom-branded gift sets, all handmade in Chicago. Amanda has also collaborated with companies like Facebook, Apple, and Campari to host special events and create custom products. She’s passionate about uplifting other small businesses and launched a small business initiative to provide high-value business education and networking opportunities for fellow Illinois-based women entrepreneurs.

Amanda says digital tools have been key to Mojo Spa’s expansion beyond Chicago. Today, customers across the country can shop online via the brand’s Shopify-powered website, Amazon, and Instagram Shop. Amanda relies on tools like Meta ads and Google Analytics to connect with new audiences and better understand customer engagement.

“Selling online helped us grow beyond our brick-and-mortar shop and reach people we never could have otherwise,” Amanda says. “Digital tools are essential to small business success in today’s digital economy.”To learn more about Amanda and Mojo Spa, visit mojospa.com.